326 State Horticultural Society. 



have many enemies, of which the farmers of Missouri and fire are the 

 worst. Grazing by sheep comes next. Cattle and horses do their 

 part, but not as much so as sheep. Snow and sleet are less harmful 

 than live stock. Land slides, floods, the depredations of insects as 

 well as fungi are enemies. Many of these trees are killed by light- 

 ning and blown down by the wind. Even birds and squirrels, by de- 

 vouring large quantites of nuts which if let alone would have grown 

 into trees, add to the destruction of the kings of the forest. 



It is not the object of this paper to discuss the minor enemies of 

 our nut bearing trees. For all trees of the forest have what we call 

 their natural enemies. It is action and depredations of man upon 

 these trees we want stopped. In the language of the poet, we would 

 sa}'-: "Oh, woodman, let them stand, thy ax should harm them not." 

 Nearly all the most serious harm to these trees comes from the care- 

 lessness and penuriousness of man. The State should prohibit de- 

 structive lumbering, and exempt from taxation all groves of nut 

 bearing trees. The time is not far distant when we must pay the 

 penalty for this wholesale destruction. Nuts are becoming scarce ;' 

 there are not enough now to supply the demand. The next generation 

 will search and search in vain for a supply of lumber which comes 

 from these trees. The increasing demand is constantly finding a 

 diminishing supply with a constant increase in price, and if the 

 present generation does not turn over a new leaf and go to planting, 

 the price of such lumber will soon be bej^ond the farmer's ability to 

 pay. 



Another feature of the situation is that by a stoppage of the de- 

 struction and by planting more of these trees would be the beneficial 

 effect upon climatic conditions. This is sure to become of great im- 

 portance as the years go by. And I believe that the planter of trees 

 will yet become in the eyes of the people of as much importance as the 

 expert horticulturist, or breeder of fine horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. 

 In our hurry and bustle of today's business we are too apt to give 

 little or no thought for the future welfare of the people of this great 

 State. 



To all those who are making calculations on nut growing for 

 pleasure, beauty or profit, there is to be found on every farm places 

 well adapted for the growth of these trees. No matter how valuable 

 •may be the land for farming purposes, it will be found that it is true 

 •economy to set apart five, ten or twenty acre lots for the exclusive 

 purpose of raising nut-bearing trees. No farm should be without 

 this amount or more. The value of these wood lots will constantly 



